How long must a number selection paper be used to choose a license plate number?
2 Answers
A number selection paper must be used to choose a license plate number within 15 days; it will expire after this period. Scope of online number selection: Online self-selection of license plate numbers is only available for the registration of small passenger vehicles (new cars). Other vehicles, such as used cars or medium-sized vehicles, do not currently support online number selection. However, vehicles that have not yet undergone motor vehicle registration or have been registered but have not yet determined a license plate number can also pre-select a number online. Notes for online number selection: When entering information, it is essential to select a number based on the administrative region of the owner's ID card or the unit's jurisdiction. After confirming the pre-selected license plate number online, if the vehicle owner needs to register the vehicle on the same day, they must print out the number selection voucher.
I just helped a friend with the license plate selection process, and the validity period of the selection form varies by region. For example, the DMV here requires the selection to be completed within 15 days, otherwise the form becomes invalid. I once encountered a guy who exceeded the deadline by three days and had to redo the vehicle inspection process, costing him over 200 yuan extra. My advice is to check the fine print on the back of the selection form as soon as you get it—it usually states the deadline. If you're too busy with work, many cities now offer online plate selection through the 12123 app, which you can do from your couch while browsing on your phone. However, online selection also has a time limit, and the system will display a countdown reminder. It's best to prepare three to five preferred plate numbers in advance to avoid last-minute panic. Don’t procrastinate on this—missing the deadline means restarting the entire process, which is a huge waste of time.
